Who’s in the 1923 cast? Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any more Hollywood actors left to throw into a Yellowstone spin-off, the 1923 cast came along.
With the Yellowstone ranch once again at the center, 1923 follows Jacob and Cara Dutton (ancestors of John Dutton), as they try to navigate ranch life through the Great Depression and Prohibition era. It sounds depressing, but rest assured, this Yellowstone series stars some of the best actors of all time.
Naturally, the Western series proved to be a hit, and it wasn’t long before fans started clamoring for a Yellowstone 1923 season 2 release date. But who are the Yellowstone cast members that lead this period of the Dutton dynasty? Here’s everything you need to know about the 1923 cast.
The main 1923 cast
Here, you’ll find the main members of the 1923 cast, which Yellowstone characters they play, and what they’ve done previously.
The main 1923 cast list:
- Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton
- Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton
- Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton
- Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra
- Darren Mann as Jack Dutton
- Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth Strafford
- Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton
- Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield
- Brian Geraghty as Zane Davis
- Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater
- Isabel May as The Narrator/Elsa Dutton
Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton
There are so many Johns and Jacobs and Jacks running around in the Dutton family, it might be hard to understand the Yellowstone timeline. We’ll make it as easy as we can: In 1883, John Dutton finished the series by finding Yellowstone. In 1923, it’s canon that John died, and that his wife asked his brother, Jacob (Ford), to come and run the ranch in his stead.
Since then, Jacob has been working the ranch with his nephew, John Jr., and his great-nephew, Jack. He and his wife, Cara (Mirren), don’t have any children of their own, so they’ve become parental substitutes for the others in their family. As the first season goes on, Jacob has to reckon with the one thing that none of the Duttons can change: aging.
Do we really need to explain OG Star Wars cast member Harrison Ford to you? Here, he’s swapped the Millenium Falcon for Yellowstone Ranch. He’s been in some of the best movies of all time, from Star Wars to Indiana Jones, and Witness to The Fugitive. Next, he’ll be joining the MCU as Thunderbolt, and you can check out our thoughts on his most recent adventure in our Indiana Jones 5 review.
Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton
Cara Dutton is Jacob Dutton’s wife, and is a force to be reckoned with (like most of the Yellowstone women, to be honest). When Jacob is shot and becomes incapacitated, she has to hide his injuries for fear of the ranch being taken away, so she attends cattle meetings and negotiations in his stead. In doing so, she actually ends up being the one that establishes the Livestock Association, the organization that we see so much of in Yellowstone.
From the Queen of England to Deckard Shaw’s mother in the Fast and Furious movies, nobody can say that Dame Helen Mirren doesn’t have range. Starring as Cara Dutton, this marks the second time she played Ford’s on-screen spouse after ‘80s movie The Mosquito Coast. As an Oscar winner and stone-cold legend, Mirren stands tall as one of the greats.
Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton
Spencer Dutton is the son of John Dutton and nephew of Jacob Dutton in 1923. Though he is one of the heirs to the Yellowstone ranch, he couldn’t be further away. Hunting beasts in the wilds of Africa, Spencer makes a living while managing to outrun his trauma from WWI. It’s here that he meets his future wife, Alexandra. He’s an adventurer at heart and manages to keep a cool head in any situation, whether it’s being attacked by a pride of lions or being stranded on a sinking boat in the middle of the ocean.
At the series’ end, Spencer has been arrested and separated from Alexandra, and the two now must make their journey to Bozeman separately, where Spencer has been called back home to help save the ranch from takeover.
Brandon Sklenar has previously starred in feature films like Indigo Valley, Jonesin’, and London Calling. On the small screen, he’s also appeared in the thriller series Westworld, as well as The Offer. Aside from season 2, you’ll next see him starring opposite Blake Lively as Atlas in the adaptation of the bestselling novel It Ends With Us, which is currently in production.
Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra
Alexandra more or less stumbles unexpectedly into Spencer’s life. When she meets the legendary adventurer while on her engagement trip to Kenya, she instantly falls for his rugged American ways. When she realizes just how trapped she feels within her engagement to Englishman Arthur, Alexandra hitches a ride out of dodge with Spencer and joins him on his journey.
As an upper-class English woman, Alexandra couldn’t be more different from her new beau. But she proves herself quickly, up for the challenge of living Spencer’s wild and unpredictable life, and more than willing to travel to America with him so he can take back Yellowstone.
Alexandra is played by Julia Schlaepfer, who has appeared in American Horror Stories, Madam Secretary, and The Politician. Given how the season ended with Spencer and Alexandra vowing to find each other again, we think she’ll be a big part of season 2.
Darren Mann as Jack Dutton
Jack Dutton is the great-nephew of our protagonist Jacob. He’s a devoted rancher and fiance to Elizabeth Strafford. Young and full of life, Jack starts the series by being the life and light of the ranch. His relationship with Elizabeth is wildly affectionate, and the two young lovers often serve as entertainment for the rest of the ranch. However, when he, Elizabeth, and Jacob are shot in an attack, and his father, John Jr. is killed, he develops a darker side.
From there on in, he becomes more dedicated to the protection of the ranch, forgoing spending time with his bride-to-be in order to seek revenge for the family’s attack. Eventually, Elizabeth talks him down, and the series ends with the pair rattled by her miscarriage.
Meanwhile, Darren Mann is known for his role in films like Giant Little Ones and Embattled. He’s also appeared in the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as Luke, and also in the Van Helsing series.
Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth Strafford
The feisty and independent fiance of Jack, it feels like Elizabeth Strafford was always destined to be a Dutton. As the daughter of neighbor ranch owners, her father also works on the Yellowstone ranch helping transport cattle. She’s desperately in love with Jack, and struggles initially to come to terms with the fact that ranch life will always take priority.
But she comes to an understanding with Jack, and she accepts the future of their life together and her place on the ranch. The two young lovers can’t keep their hands on each other, and she winds up pregnant before their wedding has even taken place. Sadly, she suffers a miscarriage, and the season ends with her reeling from the experience.
Meanwhile, Randolph is known for her roles in the horror movie, The Resort, and the Christmas movie, A Snow White Christmas. 1923 isn’t set to be her only step into the Sheridan-verse, however, since she’ll also be starring as Ainsley Norris in the upcoming series Land Man, which has been developed by the Yellowstone creator.
Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton
Helming from Scotland, Banner Creighton is a hard-headed sheep who often butts heads with the Duttons. And when we say ‘butts heads’, we mean ‘trying to kill the Duttons and take their land at any opportunity’. But as we know, if you try to harm any member of this powerful family, you’ll pay the price. As a result of his antics, Banner has almost been hung and was arrested at one time.
When the series ends, Banner is working with Timothy Dalton’s Donald Whitfield — a powerful ally. With the two working together to take control of the Yellowstone ranch, they certainly pose a threat to the Dutton’s legacy.
If you think you recognize the character’s actor, Jerome Flynn, you’re right — he played Bronn in fantasy series Game of Thrones. He’s also appeared in one of the best Black Mirror episodes, Shut Up and Dance, as well as John Wick 3.
Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield
Donald Whitfield appears somewhat later in the game in 1923, but he quickly establishes himself as a powerful enemy against the Duttons. He’s a businessman and a cunning one at that. He wants the Yellowstone ranch and plans to do so by buying pieces of the valley and pushing them out.
Eventually, he resorts to more outright tactics, such as paying for the Dutton’s property tax. What this means is that if the Duttons don’t pay him back within a year, he’ll automatically get the deed to their ranch. A slimy move but a clever one for sure.
Timothy Dalton isn’t just one of the show’s most nefarious villains — he’s also the world’s greatest spy. Most known for playing James Bond in the ’80s spy movies, Dalton is perhaps one of the suavest men in Hollywood. He’s also known for playing Prince Barin in Flash Gordon and Simon Skinner in Hot Fuzz. You’ll have also heard his voice in Toy Story 3, where he puts his vocal chops to use as Mr Pricklepants.
Brian Geraghty as Zane Davis
Zane Davis might not be a Dutton by blood, but he is in spirit — the foreman for Yellowstone Ranch is extremely loyal. Essentially, he’s this generation’s Rip. He would do anything for the Duttons, though he’s pretty preoccupied with his own problems. Zane is married to Alice Chow and has two children. As an Asian woman, Alice and Zane are found to be breaking an anti-miscegenation law of the time, meaning that their marriage is illegal.
During the season’s end, Alice is arrested and taken away, leaving Zane beaten, bloodied, and in charge of his two children.
Meanwhile, his actor Brian Geraghty isn’t new to the TV world — he previously had a recurring role in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. He’s also appeared in Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, as well as the Ted Bundy movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile. Most notably, he also starred in the Oscar-winning war movie The Hurt Locker as Owen.
Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater
Rather than shying away from the nation’s chequered history, 1923 directly tackles the treatment of indigenous people during this era. Teonna Rainwater (ancestor of Yellowstone’s Thomas Rainwater) is forced to attend a “boarding school” that aims to denigrate Native American culture. Here she is abused physically, sexually, and verbally. Being driven to breaking point, she beats and murders two of the school’s nuns before making her escape into the wilderness.
She meets Hank, a sheep herder who protects her by giving her boy’s clothing and promises to return her to her father, who he knows. But Hank is sadly killed in a battle with two of the school’s priests sent to bring her back.
Played by Aminah Nieves, who is also of Native American heritage, 1923 serves as her biggest role to date. We don’t doubt that Teonna will be one of the major characters in season 2, and will hopefully see her find her find safety somewhere and perhaps set the precedent for her family lineage to become a powerful one.
Isabel May as The Narrator/Elsa Dutton
Isabel May might not be seen on-screen as much as she was while in the 1883 cast, but she semi-reprises her role as Elsa Dutton for this series by serving as The Narrator for 1923. It makes sense, as Elsa is one of the most powerful Yellowstone characters to date, and is basically the reason that the Duttons were able to find themselves on Yellowstone’s land.
As the only daughter of John Dutton Sr, Elsa joined her family on their journey across The Frontier, an adventure that would prove to be heartbreaking, dangerous, and incredibly volatile. Throughout their travels, Elsa fell in love (twice), married (once), and suffered an arrow through the gut that would eventually ends up killing her. When she requests to choose the land upon which she’ll be laid to rest, she and her father settle on what will become the Yellowstone ranch.
Aside from being probably the best character in the Yellowstone universe, Isabel May has also appeared in Young Sheldon; I Want You Back, and Alexa and Katie. She’s also set to star in the upcoming crime movie The Smack, which features Alan Arkin and Kathy Bates.
Everyone in the 1923 season 1 cast
If you’d like a full breakdown of everyone who appears in the 1923 season 1 cast, then look no further than our list below, which includes all the major names as well as supporting characters.
Everyone in the 1923 season 1 cast:
- Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton
- Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton
- Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton
- Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra
- Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton
- Darren Mann as Jack Dutton
- Isabel May as Elsa Dutton
- Brian Geraghty as Zane Davis
- Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater
- Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth Strafford
- Caleb Martin as Dennis
- Robert Patrick as Sheriff McDowell
- Marley Shelton as Emma Dutton
- Brian Konowal as Clive
- Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield
- Jennifer Ehle as Sister Mary
- Michael Greyeyes as Hank
- Sebastian Roché as Father Renaud
- Leenah Robinson as Baapuxti
- Dakota Ogden as Carl
- Brian Brown as Jasper
- Kerry O’Malley as Sister Alice
- James Badge Dale as John Dutton, Sr.
- Jamie McShane as Marshal Kent
- Joseph Mawle as Captain Shipley
- Bruce Davison as Arthur
- Tim DeKay as Bob Strafford
- Amelia Rico as Issaxche
- Jo Ellen Pellman as Jennifer
- Michael Spears as Runs His Horse
- Justin Zachary as Liam
- Tanc Sade as Cillian
- Mark Daneri as Dr. Miller
- Walker Hare as Romero
- Rafe Soule as Young Arthur
- Jane Carlson as Countess of Sussex
- Brian Knoebel as Groomsman 1
- Currie Graham as Chadwick Benton
- Nick Boraine as Richard Holland
- Bradley Fisher as Clive Hoburn
- Colt Brown as Alec (Sheeper)
- Tyler W. Gaisford as Horace Grant
- Jeff Leaf as Charles Brewster
- Cailyn Rice as Christy
- Tony Noto as Man (Sheeper)
- Raymond Watanga as Kagiso
- Madison Elise Rogers as Lindy
- Ross Crain as Marshal Thomas
- Kondwani Phiri as Linda
- Craig Jackson as Merchant Marine
- Cole Brings Plenty as Pete Plenty Clouds
- Scott Buechler as Sheep Herder
- Nicholas Adams as Groomsman 2
- Tim Mikulecky as Sergeant
- Hunter Goligoski as Soldier
- Colin Moss as Charles Hardin
- Peter Stormare as Lucca
- Jessalyn Gilsig as Beverly Strafford
- Chuck McCollum as Lacey Pierce
- Chuck Filipov as Spur
- Wallace Langham as Kyle Murphy
- Alexandra Grossi as Catherine Walsh
- Damian O’Hare as Captain Hurley
- Luke Tyler as First Mate Lambridge
- Joy Osmanski as Alice
- Joel Brady as Power Salesman
- Sarah Randall Hunt as Ellie Creighton
- Bryan Veronneau as Stockyard Manager
- Magdalene Keh-Vick as Mabel
- Craig Clyde as Rancher
- Justin Stella as Henry Creighton
- Ben Tjibe as Boat Captain
- Tyler Beardsley as Bartender (Speakeasy)
- Potsch Boyd as Mr. Worth
- David Chevers as Clerk
- Golden Garnick as Speakeasy Cowboy
- Amie MacKenzie as Abel
- Cooper Taylor as Spade
- John Gearries as Bouncer (Speakeasy)
- Nico Panagio as Yiannis
- Adam Neill as Benson
- KC Coy as Soldier
- Mike Peebler as Richard Harlow
- Erin Coker as Edna
If you want to know more about the buzziest Western TV saga around, check out our other articles explaining how to watch 1923 and how the 1923 cast is related to the modern Duttons. We’ve also got features on why Dallas ran so Yellowstone could fly, and why the Western has always been a genre for women, too.
To see what’s coming up, take a look at our guides on the 6666 release date, the Lawmen: Bass Reeves release date, and the 1883 season 2 release date. We can also finally answer the burning question: Has Yellowstone been canceled? And to see what’s available on Yellowstone’s main streaming service, see our list of everything new on Paramount Plus this month.